Westlife

Homeless Health

A unique partnership between West Lothian Council and NHS Lothian was established in 2000, this was the creation of the Moving into Health.

The Homeless Health Team was created, working with Council, Health Colleagues and the voluntary services, the overarching aim of Moving into Health is of improving and maintaining the health and well-being of homeless people.

What the team does

Provide a flexible outreach service to people with concerns about their health, who are homeless in West Lothian.

Who can access this service

The service is available to people in West Lothian with health need

Who are homeless

Who are at risk of becoming homeless and not engaged with services

Who support homeless people

Our main objectives are:

To meet health and wellbeing needs of homeless people

Provide assessment and implement planned nurse intervention and mental health support to people whilst in temporary accommodation

Identify mainstream agencies which are best placed to meet the health needs of those who are homeless

To ensure vulnerable people receive a service they are entitled to

Improve support and advise on health issues to those working with homeless people

Provide health promotion and education on mental health and wellbeing for clients and those supporting them

Network and promote our service

Referral Process

The referral process is deliberately simple to encourage people to make contact. There is an open referral system.

Referrals can be made by anyone - professional, a family member or by the individual.

The way we work:

One team leader and two health workers, all registered mental health nurses

Every person moving into temporary homeless accommodation is offered an initial contact

Provide information and education on mental health issues for clients and support staff

Provide practical support to encourage clients to engage with and positively use other agency support